Barry Zito, who is throwing his best ball of the season - working at least seven innings while surrendering two or fewer runs over four straight starts - admitted he put extra pressure on himself because of his $126 million contract.

"You want to be everything for everyone," Zito said. "You want to show everyone you're worth every dollar. I figured out, be myself. That's what they're paying me for, to be who I am."

On Sunday, Zito surrendered one run and two hits in seven innings. He walked one and struck out five. He has won only one of his last four starts, but his ERA over the stretch is 1.24 (four runs, 12 hits, four walks, 29 innings).

It's what the Giants were hoping for when they signed Zito for seven years.

"Sometimes we have to go through crap to prove to ourselves we can handle it," Zito said. "I think the reality is, I never pitched with a number on my forehead such as the contract. All these things were new to me. On top of that, a new team, new park, new league. So I think it's a reason a lot of guys re-up with their teams. They don't want to go through the process. It's something you can't prepare for."

Zito, whose ERA has fallen from 5.13 to 4.46 in his last four starts, feels better about all his pitches.

"You get results when you're in a good frame of mind and attacking guys," Zito said. "My pitches haven't changed, per se, from my standpoint. But the changeup's moving way better, the curveball's breaking way better and the fastball location's better. Those things tend to fall in place when you trust yourself."

Lowry done for '07?: The Giants are considering shutting down Noah Lowryfor the rest of the season if he doesn't regain his strength.

"I wouldn't rule that out," manager Bruce Bochysaid. "He's got a little soreness. It's not worth the risk right now. He's going to have to be 100 percent or we're not going to put him back out there."

"He's done a great job this year," Bochy said. "He was on target for 17, 18 wins, which would be pretty incredible considering where we're at."

Briefly: The Giants played their final game at RFK Stadium, which will be replaced next year by a new Nationals park. Bochy saw his first big-league game at the old yard and was a fan of Frank Howardof the Washington Senators. ... Ryan Zimmermanhas a majors-leading six walk-off hits in the past two seasons.